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1st Black Host of Hit TV Variety Show

Comedian Flip Wilson Dies at Age 64

By Associated Press
Contributed byRachel Sue Smith
Los Angeles
November 27, 1998

Flip Wilson, 64, who became the first successful black host of a television variety show with his turns as sassy Geraldine, the Rev. Leroy and other characters he mined for ethnic humor, died of liver cancer Nov. 25 at his home in Malibu, Calif.

Flip as Geraldine with Sammy Davis Jr.

NBC's hit "The Flip Wilson Show" showcased the comedian's talents and brought a rare black voice to television during its 1970 to 1974 run.

"Flip Wilson was an incredible performer, one of the funniest people I ever knew," comedian Milton Berle said through his publicist. "He will be sorely missed not only as a friend but as a comedy genius."

Although breakthrough actors such as Bill Cosby on "I Spy" and Diahann Carroll in "Julia" had roles that downplayed their racial identities, Mr. Wilson reveled in such characters as Leroy, pastor of the "Church of What's Happening Now," who Mr. Wilson said was based on a preacher he listened to as a child.

"I was very impressed with him, and I was always amazed that he wasn't well educated," he said in a 1971 New York Daily News interview. "But in his simple way, he was dynamic and exciting."

Geraldine, with Mr. Wilson in a wig, high heels and a colorful minidress, was perhaps his most famous character. Her spunky catch phrases -- "The devil made me do it" and "What you see is what you get!" -- became part of the national language.

"The secret of my success with Geraldine is that she's not a put-down of women," he once said.

"She's smart, she's trustful, she's loyal, she's sassy. Most drag impersonations are a drag. But women can like Geraldine, men can like Geraldine, everyone can like Geraldine."

Comedian Steve Allen told KCBS-TV in Los Angeles: "Nobody ever sent him a postcard objecting to any of his humor. There was no vulgarity. There was no sleaze. There were no shock jokes. It was just funny."

His humor was rarely political, but in interviews he spoke of his admiration for black politicians such as Cleveland Mayor Carl Stokes and Georgia legislator Julian Bond.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson, in a telephone interview yesterday, said that he had known the comedian since the 1970s and that "Flip was a breakthrough artist for African Americans. He led with a brand of comedy that was clean and decent and not vulgar. To the end, he was a man I held in high esteem -- as a comedian and as a person."

As for racism in the world of television, Mr. Wilson said in 1971: "It would be ridiculous for me to say anything negative regarding blacks having an equal opportunity on TV.

"After all, I was number one in the ratings four times last year and twice this season."

Clerow Wilson was born into poverty on Dec. 8, 1933, in Jersey City and raised in foster homes, quitting school at age 16. He served four years in the Air Force and earned the nickname "Flip" for his irreverent humor when he began entertaining the troops.

Discharged in 1954, he spent more than a decade working at odd jobs and developing a comedy act in small clubs.

When Hollywood began to seek out black entertainers in the 1960s, his career took an upward turn.

Mr. Wilson made his television debut on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" in 1965, and that led to frequent appearances on "The Ed Sullivan Show" and "Laugh-In" and on comedy series including "Love, American Style."

A variety special in which he starred in September 1968 led to his own series, for which he won an Emmy for performing and one for writing in 1971.

It took competition from a new drama, "The Waltons," to knock Mr. Wilson's show down in the ratings and off the air.

The comedian was divorced about the time his show ended, and he won custody of his children.

"I wanted to devote the same amount of time to my kids as I had to the show," he said in a 1985 interview with the Associated Press.

He ended his absence from television with guest appearances and then with two series: the 1984 quiz show "People Are Funny," which he hosted, and the 1985 CBS sitcom "Charlie & Company," which co-starred singer Gladys Knight. Both shows were short-lived.

Mr. Wilson said in 1993 that he was enjoying the good life, which included recreational and spiritual passions ranging from hot air ballooning and long ocean cruises to studying the works of philosopher Kahlil Gibran, author of "The Prophet."

As for Geraldine, he said: "I don't think Geraldine will be back. She was the girl of my dreams, and she carried me longer than my mother did.

"I have sincere affection for her and an appreciation of the affection that many fans express for her. But I think Mr. Wilson will have to be the rest of the way alone."

Survivors include five children.

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